Issues of creating new landscapes and reconstructing biogeocenoses during the reclamation of disturbed lands: organizational gaps, their consequences, and possible solutions

Background. The article provides a brief literature review of scientific and practical achievements in the study of key components of landscape science: climate, geological structure, surface and groundwater, relief, soil formation processes, biocenoses, and the influence of anthropogenic factors in the formation of new landscapes in Russia. It is noted that despite the extensive accumulated experience in the reclamation of disturbed lands of various origins, the total area of technogenically altered territories continues to grow, while the pace of reclamation significantly lags behind the country’s urgent needs. Materials and methods. The article highlights several reasons hindering systematic and effective reclamation of technogenic soils and other disturbed lands. These include: the absence of a national program for the reclamation of both accumulated and newly generated disturbed lands resulting from ongoing human activity, including integration of such works into administrative territorial development plans with appropriate funding; the lack of a dedicated governmental body across all levels of authority to address this issue – from land disturbance inventory to the implementation of landscape creation plans tailored to the natural and climatic conditions of each region and the intended type of reclamation (agricultural, forestry, water management, or other); the absence of a standard operational document for contractors, clearly defining the step-by-step procedure for their work. Results and conclusions. Attention is drawn to the critical shortage and poor development of regulatory documentation on the reclamation of disturbed lands – particularly GOST standards (State Standards). This situation has largely resulted from decentralization, weak or absent interdisciplinary coordination in sectoral science management, the fragmentation of state funding across multiple foundations, and a distorted, inefficient system for financing and maintaining scientific institutions. These factors have led to a drain of professional researchers from scientific institutions, a lack of interest among young professionals in scientific careers, and a steady decline in the educational level of graduates from specialized universities.